Places of Worship

Client/Owner: Hemmler + Camayd

Location: Mountain Top, PA

Contact: Stephen Daiute, PE, LEED AP

Description: GPI provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for this new, 20,000 sq ft facility which and includes seating for 850 worshippers. The facility also includes a multi-purpose room behind the sanctuary along with office spaces. The HVAC Systems included the installation of two 1,000,000 BTU hot water boilers, a VAV system servicing the office wing, and a central-facility control system. An under floor hot-water distribution pipe system was used to maintain the cupola’s purity. Electrical systems include electrical service, power systems, LED lighting, occupancy sensor lighting control system, fire alarm system, sound reinforcement, telecommunications, and an access control system.

Category: Places of Worship

Client/Owner: Hemmler + Camayd Architects

Location: Piscataway, NJ

Contact: Stephen Daiute, PE, LEED AP

Description: The project consists of a renovation and additions to an existing church. GPI’s provided structural engineering services for the project. Renovations included a bell and elevator tower addition to the existing church, along with three lower level entrances, low roof structural modification, mechanical RTU replacement on the low roof, and complete roof replacement. Site features included a reinforced concrete exterior stair and site retaining walls. GPI also provided a topographical survey for the project.

Category: Places of Worship

Client/Owner: St. Edward the Confessor Church

Location: Clifton Park, NY

Contact: Thomas Lamb, LEED AP

Description: GPI provided engineering consulting services for a 13,500 sq ft round building addition to an existing church. The addition includes a new main Worship space with adjoining Chapel and Baptistery areas. The new Nave has a capacity for 1100 worshipers seated at pews forming a semi-circle around the alter. The floor gently slopes down from the perimeter to the alter allowing congregants better sightlines. The HVAC system was designed to be very quiet and features drum louver diffusers, lined supply and return ductwork as well as underground return ductwork to ensure efficient and quiet air movement throughout the space. To maintain the desired aesthetics, two rooftop type air handlers with heat recovery were mounted on slabs located in adjacent brick masonry corrals. In order to provide natural ventilation, powered louvers were installed in the 25 foot high cupola over the alter. The project also added fire protection to over 24,000 sq ft of the existing facility.

Category: Places of Worship

Client/Owner: Intec Group

Location: Fairfax, VA

Contact: Rasko Dabic, PE, CxA

Description: GPI provided engineering consulting services for the Fairfax Community Church, a 58,000 sq ft, 500-seat church with education and youth facilities. The master plan, and engineered systems, have been designed to accommodate a 40,000 sq ft, two-story administration and education wing. MEP systems were conceived to be cost effective, functional, and quiet while providing individual room control for energy conservation and comfort. The auditorium space that can serve up to 800 is equipped with full theatrical lighting and audio, all capable of being controlled from the A/V station at the rear of the auditorium. In addition to the standard church kitchen facilities, the narthex is equipped with a coffee house serving station and comfortable lounge including a gas fire place. The youth room is equipped with a stage and theatrical lighting and sound equipment and was acoustically treated to allow concurrent activities within the church.

Category: Places of Worship

Client/Owner: Immanuel Bible Church

Location: Springfield, VA

Contact: Rasko Dabic, PE, CxA

Description: GPI provided engineering consulting services for the full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing renovation of the 12,000 sq ft worship center including lighting, HVAC, and life safety design. The project included a total replacement of ten rooftop units to improve temperature and humidity levels during part-load conditions and to satisfy the owner's requirements by specifying single zone variable volume units all connected through the existing building energy management system. Challenges include tedious coordination with the owner and architect to accommodate the existing interior design and the new ductwork through new bulkheads. Additionally, separate HVAC and lighting systems were designed for the stage area.

Category: Places of Worship

Client/Owner: Kerns Group Architects

Location: Alexandria, VA

Contact: Rasko Dabic, PE, CxA

Description: GPI is currently providing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for this 100,000 sq ft addition to a 40,000 sq ft existing church in Old town Alexandria. The project includes a three-level parking garage below ground with a three-story new structure above. The scope of work includes new HVAC, wet and dry utility distribution, lighting, sound, and life safety systems. Project challenges include ground water mitigation system design for the three-story below ground parking garage and extensive coordination with the architect and owner for the connector to accommodate the new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and to preserve the existing historical facility. GPI is also involved with the Board of Architect Review and historical preservation approval.

Category: Places of Worship